Principal Software Developer

Principal Software Developer | Gaithersburg, MD, United States | Hybrid

We're hiring on behalf of a globally recognized leader in technology and innovation, known for its impactful work with government and commercial clients. This organization is at the forefront of developing smarter, more efficient digital and mission solutions, empowering experts to outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo. They are seeking a driven Principal Software Developer to contribute to a dynamic air traffic management program.

The Role

• Serve as a principal technical authority for software engineering, influencing architecture, design, and long-term technical strategy.
• Lead the design and development of complex, mission-critical software systems, ensuring alignment with performance, safety, security, and scalability requirements.
• Drive system-level and cross-program architectural decisions, including integration strategies and technology selection.
• Define and oversee the strategic adoption of AI-assisted software development across teams and programs.
• Establish enterprise- or program-level policies, guardrails, and governance for responsible AI usage.
• Champion the development of standardized AI-assisted workflows, reusable components, and tooling.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field and a minimum of 10-12 years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree and a minimum of 10 years of prior relevant experience.
• Expert-level proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, or Qt, with extensive experience delivering and maintaining large-scale production systems.
• Demonstrated experience leading software architecture and technical strategy across teams or programs.
• Deep experience applying AI-assisted software development tools and shaping their adoption in professional environments.
• Expert ability to evaluate, validate, and govern AI-generated code and outputs, including identifying systemic risks and security vulnerabilities.
• Strong understanding of software architecture, distributed systems, and system-level design tradeoffs.

What's On Offer

• The opportunity to work on a cutting-edge air traffic management program with global impact.
• A role that offers significant technical leadership and strategic influence.
• Continuous learning and development in the rapidly evolving field of AI-assisted development.
• A position within a company known for its commitment to innovation and mission-driven solutions.

Apply via Haystack today!